News Releases

Vermont Adopts the Next Generation Science Standards

The Vermont State Board of Education (SBE) voted unanimously (9-0) to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) at their June 25th Board meeting. Vermont joins four other states (Rhode Island, Kansas, Kentucky, and Maryland) in adopting these standards.

Vermont was one of 26 states that partnered in developing the new standards. NGSS are voluntary, internationally benchmarked, and based on the National Research Council's A Framework for K-12 Science Education. Teachers across the country were involved in writing these standards. The framework is built on the notion of learning as a developmental progression; the standards were designed to focus on core ideas and practices, deepen understanding, reflect real-world interconnections in science, and demonstrate proficiency. NGSS establishes educational goals that can give K–12 students the skills and knowledge they need to be informed citizens, college ready, and prepared for STEM careers.

“Adopting the standards is a step in the right direction,” said Secretary of Education Armando Vilaseca. “Vermont was part of a collaborative, state-led process. We share the goal of constantly striving to better prepare our kids for college and the global workforce,” said Stephan Morse, Chair of the State Board of Education.

Governor Shumlin thanked the Board for its leadership in adopting these standards, which will help prepare youth for careers of the future. “I believe strongly that we should strengthen our standards to ensure that our education system delivers for our children. I hear often from Vermont businesses struggling to fill positions due to the lack of applicants skilled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Next Generation Science Standards help address these gaps and keep Vermont’s schools on the leading edge nationwide,” said Governor Shumlin.

“Along with the adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), NGSS is another tool for our schools,” said Secretary Vilaseca. “We are looking at multiple ways in which we can prepare our kids for life beyond high school, giving them as many options and opportunities as possible.”

Next Generation Science Standards are designed to make science learning from grade to grade more cohesive, and emphasizes both hands-on learning and critical examination of scientific evidence. NGSS are also aligned with, and make connections to, the CCSS for math and English/language arts that will be implemented in the 2014-15 school year.

Learn more about the Agency’s recommended action to the Board here: http://bit.ly/11N8dWU. Learn more about NGSS here: http://www.nextgenscience.org/. Learn more about the SBE here: http://bit.ly/yRbCu.